BALTIMORE -- Catcher Geovany Soto, who is on the disabled list after undergoing surgery on his right knee at the end of Spring Training, is with the Rangers in Baltimore, but is hoping to be with Triple-A Round Rock by Friday.

Soto is hoping to start his rehab assignment then and be back with the Rangers by the All-Star break. He will spend three days in Baltimore doing blocking drills and catching pitchers in the bullpen, the final steps needed before he is ready to play in a game.

"Hopefully I can get out of here if everything goes like planned in the next few days," Soto said. "So far everything is going great. My legs feel strong. I just need to catch some games, get a few at-bats and be back after the All-Star break if there are no setbacks."

The plan will likely call for Soto to alternate between catcher and designated hitter while he is in the Minor Leagues.

"I've passed pretty much every hurdle," Soto said. "Everything has been great so far. I just need to get my legs built up, get my timing and the plate and come back and help this team."